Galapagos petrel  (Pterodroma phaeopygia)

The Galapagos petrel is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List 2007 (1) and is listed on Appendix I of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS or Bonn Convention) (4). It is also listed as Endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (5).

A medium-sized seabird with long wings, the Galapagos petrel is greyish-black across the upperparts, and white on the forehead and underside. The underwings are edged with black and the legs are pink. The feet are also pink, and have black webbing. The black bill is short and hooked, and like all species of petrel, has tubular nostrils that are united at the top. The tail is wedge-shaped and white in colour (3).

Endemic to the Galapagos Islands, this petrel forages to the east and north of the Galapagos archipelago, around western Central America and northern South America (2).

Inhabits rocky areas, making nests in burrows or natural cavities on slopes, in craters, sinkholes, lava tunnels, and gullies (2).

In preparation for long periods of incubation, the female Galapagos petrel leaves the colony to feed for several weeks before returning between late April and mid May to lay two to four eggs. Returning each year to the same site, the male Galapagos petrel is faithful to both the female and the nest. After laying, the male takes the first incubation shift to allow the female to feed again. They take it in turns to incubate the eggs, until the chicks hatch 54 to 58 days later. Initially, the hatchlings have a covering of pale grey down on the back and white on the chest and belly. The male and female will continue to care for them for a further week, passing them regurgitated food after nibbling gently at the chick’s bills to initiate feeding (6).

The adults spend the non-breeding season out at sea, feeding during the day on squid, fish and crustacea driven to the surface by tuna and porpoises. They prey mainly on squirrel fish, flying fish, skipjack tuna and goatfish (6).

Following the proliferation of introduced cats, dogs, pigs, and black and brown rats on the Galapagos Islands in the 1980s, the Galapagos petrel has suffered a rapid decline in numbers, perhaps as much as on 80 percent reduction. Rats feed on eggs and chicks, with dogs, cats and pigs also taking adults. In addition, the Galapagos hawk, Buteo galapagoensis, has been responsible for large losses of the adult population (2).

The re-establishment of this species has also been prevented by the clearance of vegetation for agriculture, and nest site damage as a result of trampling and over-grazing by domestic goats, donkeys, cattle and horses (2).

The Galapagos Islands are a national park and a World Heritage Site, and are therefore protected. Some predator control has been carried out but a continuing programme is crucial to prevent the rat population re-establishing itself. Proposed schemes to prevent further decline of the Galapagos petrel include monitoring the breeding success of different populations under various predator control systems, in order to determine the most successful (2).

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

For further information on the Galapagos petrel see:

• Simons, T.R. (1985) Biology and behaviour of the endangered Hawaiian dark-rumped petrel. The Condor, 87(1): 229 – 245.
• BBC Wildlife Finder:
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/species/Gal%C3%A1pagos_Petrel

For more information on this and other bird species please see:

• BirdLife International:
  http://www.birdlife.org